Chapter 126: The Lion's Mane Technique - Jiraiya's Request!
Seeing this unforgettable scene from the anime come to life before his eyes, Tsukasa's gaze flickered with emotion.
In his past, this unruly hero standing before him had been his favorite character, and encountering him now felt like a sudden, unexpected gift.
Just as Tsukasa was about to respond, a portly ninja came running up from behind Jiraiya, breathing heavily.
"Lord Jiraiya, Root has sent intelligence!"
"Regarding tomorrow's operation—we need your immediate confirmation!"
Hearing this voice, Tsukasa looked up and saw a young man with long red hair and a body as large as a bear. He wore a Konoha headband and an armor vest with the kanji for "food" emblazoned across it.
Judging from his appearance, Tsukasa immediately recognized him as Choza Akimichi—the "Cho" from the current generation's Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
Hearing what Choza said, Tsukasa's eyebrow twitched slightly.
Intelligence from Root? And tomorrow's operation?
This reminded him of the mission Ryoma Aburame had mentioned yesterday—the infiltration mission behind Sunagakure's lines.
Had something changed?
"Hmm?" Upon hearing this news, Jiraiya frowned.
He quickly whispered a few words to Choza, whose expression soon darkened. Choza nodded, then turned and ran toward the command tent.
Jiraiya turned apologetically to Tsukasa.
"I was planning to spend the whole day teaching you this technique, but it looks like I don't have the time."
With a helpless smile, Jiraiya deftly pulled a red-covered scroll from his robe and pressed it against Tsukasa's forehead.
"This ninjutsu is called—"
"Secret Technique: Lion's Mane!"
"Kid, don't let its reputation go to waste."
Tsukasa was slightly taken aback. He took the scroll from his forehead with a small thrill—like suddenly receiving an autograph from his idol.
He quickly regained his composure and looked at Jiraiya with genuine surprise.
"Lord Jiraiya, why are you giving me such a precious technique?"
Secret techniques were jutsu possessed only by the major clans and elite ninja in the shinobi world.
They were extremely valuable!
Moreover, Jiraiya had given him an entire set!
In other words, the scroll must contain all three techniques Jiraiya had created himself:
Ninja Art: Needle Jizo.
Ninja Art: Needle Hell.
Ninja Art: Wild Lion's Mane Technique.
By manipulating chakra, the hair is hardened and lengthened into a forest of needles. Whether using Needle Hell for offense, Needle Jizo for defense, or Wild Lion's Mane for binding and capture, it covered close, mid, and long-range combat.
This set of techniques could be considered one of the most complete defensive jutsu systems in terms of versatility.
There were many ninja in the shinobi world who could manipulate their hair, but neither the Thousand Needle technique from Kirigakure nor the sound-wave manipulation through hair from Sunagakure were as comprehensive as Jiraiya's set.
In the current shinobi world, only Kushina's Adamantine Sealing Chains could reliably surpass this technique.
Most importantly, it had no special requirements and didn't need elemental transformation—all you needed was long enough hair.
It was safe to say that this set of techniques could easily create a Special Jonin.
Tsukasa looked at the scroll in his hand, his expression troubled.
He recognized Jiraiya, but he was certain Jiraiya hadn't known him before today.
Now this high-ranking Konoha commander stationed at the Land of Rain border was suddenly giving him such a precious gift. It seemed... abnormal.
"This is too valuable. I can't accept it. Besides, I don't lack techniques."
Tsukasa shook his head firmly and decisively pushed the scroll back.
However, Jiraiya pressed his hand down, meeting his gaze with deep, serious eyes, and spoke with weight in his voice:
"Tsukasa,"
"This is a personal request from me."
"I can see that Orochimaru values you highly."
"That night when we reunited over sake, the excitement and passion in his eyes when he mentioned you—I haven't seen that in years."
He paused, his gaze lowering slightly as he sighed.
"The war took Orochimaru's parents long ago. Soon after, his student Nawaki died, then his close friend Dan, and his mentor Sakumo Hatake all followed one after another."
"I can sense that Orochimaru is now like a kite with a severed string. I don't know when he'll completely drift away from Konoha."
"I can no longer see the light that once shone in his eyes."
"But—"
Jiraiya took a deep breath, his large hand ruffling Tsukasa's messy hair.
"Your appearance has brought light back to his eyes!"
"I know you're an Uchiha ninja with the Sharingan bloodline limit and access to countless techniques, so you won't lack this skill."
"But this is the most valuable thing I can offer."
Jiraiya sighed, pushed the scroll back, and pressed it against Tsukasa's chest. Then he looked at Tsukasa with a solemn expression.
"Please!"
"Your teacher, Orochimaru, is someone very important to me!"
"Consider this an S-rank mission. I'll pay you for it."
"I'm asking you to be the string that keeps the kite grounded, so he doesn't drift astray."
"So—"
"Tsukasa, please... survive!"
Tsukasa raised his head, his eyes filled with astonishment.
Looking into Jiraiya's earnest gaze, his heart sank.
He had never imagined Orochimaru would actually value him this much.
He had never imagined he would become part of the precious bonds that defined this world.
Before, when Orochimaru said he wanted to take him as a son, Tsukasa thought it was just a joke—that Orochimaru was merely using him as an experiment, trying to get answers from him.
But now...
Jiraiya patted Tsukasa's shoulder, straightening up instantly, then laughed loudly.
"Well, of course, kid, don't put too much pressure on yourself!"
"As a senior, protecting a junior is my responsibility."
"I'll take good care of you!"
With that, Jiraiya smiled casually, brushed past Tsukasa, waved behind him, and walked away.
His wooden sandals clattered on the ground, the sound of his footsteps carrying on the wind.
Soon, only Tsukasa remained standing on the street.
Tsukasa stood in the middle of the path, gripping the scroll in his hand, silent for a long moment.
He wasn't sure what emotions he was feeling—only that he suddenly realized his plans had become significantly more complicated.
He let out a heavy breath and tucked the scroll into his robes.
Now that he had accepted it, he had to give it everything he had.
Fight with everything he possessed!
And this wasn't just one option anymore.
With his mindset subtly shifting, Tsukasa shook his head.
For someone whose physical abilities were so poor—barely enough to qualify as a ninja—the only way he could truly utilize his determination was through close combat and life-or-death battles.
To achieve his goals, he had to fight to the death.
To save this world and rewrite its tragedies, he also had to fight to the death.
There was no holding back, no deliberately throwing his life away. Without fighting, he was utterly useless. Without fighting, he was doomed.
Therefore, whatever the reason, this was the only path before him.
Tomorrow's battles: the assassination of Rasa, the assault on Iwagakure, the confrontation with the Tailed Beasts.
From Konoha to the Land of Hot Water, from the Land of Hot Water to the Land of Rain, from the Land of Rain to the Land of Earth—
Either die on the road of endless battles, or fight his way through this entire Third Shinobi World War!
End of Chapter 126
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